When I first decided to pursue math, someone told me that I couldn't because I asked too many questions and math would be too hard for me. And I believed them.

But I am grateful that it didn't stay that way because today #ILookLikeAnMathematician #BlackinMathweek.

A thread/

Sometime ago, a @cut video went viral when a Black girl was told by a non-Black girl "Got an F?" in response to the Black girl sharing she had a math test. The adults around her did nothing and to my knowledge they never released a statement.

https://twitter.com/Shimekaveli/status/1293333627061837830?s=20

2/

The sentiment that Black girls can't pursue and succeed in quantitative sciences is racist and sexist and starts earlier than you think http://bit.ly/2ASoGan . @DaniaFrancis et. al show that Black girls are underrecommended for AP Calculus classes holding all else equal.

3/

This may not be landing so let me present example #102930 of Black girls being told we can't do math h/t @hood_naturalist:

I wish this young Black girl's experience was not the norm but honestly, it is #YouLooklikeAMathematician #BlackinMathWeek. And you hate to see it.

5/

So what happens if you tell Black girls and womxn that we don't look like mathematicians?

You get Black women who are silenced even though our input is critical to the world--you get inequity coupled with lack of innovation. You get a single story. And that is dangerous.

6/

When you tell Black girls and womxn that we can't math like you do, you get abysmal representation in fields that shape our world:

- Astronomy: Less than 30 EVER
- Physics: Less than 100 EVER
- Economics: Less than 0.5% EVER

You effectively rob all of us of brilliance.

7/

At the end of the day, #ILookLikeAMathematician, and so does my niece and so do my Black girlfriends and so does every single Black girl and womxn wants to do math.

Telling us that we can't wonder like you do is stifling our imagination. When we wonder the world changes.

8/8

Also, MATH IS FOR EVERYBODY at any age especially little Black Girls. If you are a parent of any race, I HIGHLY recommend that you purchase the two books below for your children OR subscribe to @blkgirlmathgic #WeLookLikeAMathematicians!

9/8

If you are wondering who took all of my wonderful photos on the right, please please please follow @Sublime______ , an aspiring photojournalist, @NatGeoEducation come through with the plug!

I'll end this thread with this: I would not be in the economics space in any capacity had I not felt literal conviction to change my major to math.

Majoring in math birthed @SadieCollective and honestly, this twitter account. It changed the trajectory of my life.